JERMAINE Jenas has spoken for the first time about the injury hell which has wrecked the start of his Villa career, admitting: “It was heart-breaking”.

Jenas is relishing his debut, which he hopes will finally come against Norwich on Saturday, after Alex McLeish decided not to risk him at Sunderland.

The first two months of the 28-year-old midfielder’s season-long loan from Tottenham have been ruined by thigh and Achilles problems sustained in training.

“It was heart-breaking,” said Jenas, who was injured during his first full session in his first week at the club.

“It’s been a real test of mental strength.

“When I first arrived, I was flying in training. I was getting my head down and doing well.

“I was so excited about the prospect of starting at a new club and then I felt a little twinge in my quad on Thursday. I was just thinking: ‘I hope not!’

“Sometimes these sort of things go away, but other times they stay and prolong themselves. I stuck with it and got through to Friday.

“I was shaping to shoot and just as I hit it I felt a twang through my whole body.

“I just knew, but I stayed positive and thought ‘Okay, it’ll be just one game. It might not be too severe’.

“Then I had the Achilles injury too. I came back, fought back in the gym, worked hard and all of a sudden my Achilles was really sore.

“I just thought ‘What more?’ Thankfully I have had good people around me – my wife, my family – they have supported me and kept me focused.

“Now, I have been outside and done ball work for three days and trained with the team for three days. So, touch wood, things are going right and come the weekend hopefully I will be involved in the squad.”